Description
The Star Bonifacio 30PK, serial number 1787379C, isn’t just another 9mm from the past—it’s a relic from a turning point in firearms development, when manufacturers raced to modernize for the “Wondernine” era. Born from the earlier Model 28, Star’s double-action design introduced in 1978, the 30PK reflects the brand’s push to stay competitive, especially during the early U.S. military XM9 pistol trials. Although it didn’t unseat the Beretta 92, the effort marked a serious bid by Star to gain traction in both military and law enforcement circles.
By 1981, the company had refined its platform and rolled out the Model 30—sleeker, smarter, and better tuned to the feedback from field tests. Fast forward to 1986, and this exact firearm (1787379C) ended up in Colt’s hands as part of a quiet internal evaluation. Colt reportedly acquired 20 of these pistols, likely weighing whether the Spanish design was worth licensing or replicating. In the end, they passed—but instead of letting them sit in storage, the company sold the test guns to Colt employees. And just like that, this 30PK became part of a curious little footnote in American firearm history.
There’s more: a sibling of this very pistol—serial number 1787377C—showed up on Forgotten Weapons, just two digits away. That brief moment in the spotlight only boosts its collector cachet. For those who appreciate the small design shifts and corporate what-ifs that shape the firearms world, this 30PK is more than a gun—it’s a story in steel.
A similar Star Bonifacio 30PK, was featured on Forgotten Weapons.
